EP1008762A2 - Elektrisches Gebläse und elektrischer Verbinder - Google Patents

Elektrisches Gebläse und elektrischer Verbinder Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1008762A2
EP1008762A2 EP99309975A EP99309975A EP1008762A2 EP 1008762 A2 EP1008762 A2 EP 1008762A2 EP 99309975 A EP99309975 A EP 99309975A EP 99309975 A EP99309975 A EP 99309975A EP 1008762 A2 EP1008762 A2 EP 1008762A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connector
fan
control module
electrically
housing portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP99309975A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1008762A3 (de
EP1008762B1 (de
Inventor
Neil Cottingham
Paul Langdon Jackson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Aliaxis Research and Technology SAS
Original Assignee
Societe Etex de Recherches Techniques SERT
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Societe Etex de Recherches Techniques SERT filed Critical Societe Etex de Recherches Techniques SERT
Publication of EP1008762A2 publication Critical patent/EP1008762A2/de
Publication of EP1008762A3 publication Critical patent/EP1008762A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1008762B1 publication Critical patent/EP1008762B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D29/00—Details, component parts, or accessories
    • F04D29/60—Mounting; Assembling; Disassembling
    • F04D29/601—Mounting; Assembling; Disassembling specially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D25/00—Pumping installations or systems
    • F04D25/02—Units comprising pumps and their driving means
    • F04D25/08—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the working fluid being air, e.g. for ventilation
    • F04D25/12—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the working fluid being air, e.g. for ventilation the unit being adapted for mounting in apertures

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electric fan, and also to an electrical connector which may be employed in such a fan.
  • the type of fan to which the present invention is primarily directed is one which may be used to remove air from an interior space in a building.
  • a fan is suitable for mounting on a generally planar surface such as a wall or ceiling, and may also be suitable for mounting in a window.
  • the fan will usually be in communication with a duct which allows the withdrawn air to escape.
  • This type of fan generally comprises a back plate having an aperture which leads to the duct, a body having an air-intake aperture which is mounted on the back plate in the assembled fan, and a fan driven by an electric motor mounted between the body and the back plate.
  • Another recent control function is that of passive infrared detection. This avoids the need for a standard on/off switch, as the presence of a person in the room will trigger the sensor and turn the fan on. Once the person leaves the room, the sensor will be de-activated and the fan will turn off.
  • the passive infrared control would benefit from an additional over-run timer feature to allow the fan to work for a set time after the person has left the room, or in the case of the person remaining still for a period of time.
  • the humidity-dependent control could be employed in combination with the passive infrared in order to control the fan either in response to humidity, or in response to the presence of a person in the room.
  • a plug-in control module also has manufacturing advantages in terms of easier component handling.
  • Large numbers of the basic fan design can be manufactured, and the appropriate control module can be inserted into the fan according to production requirements, or according to the particular control features required by a customer.
  • the customer could purchase a basic switchable fan at the point of sale, and optionally purchase a control module to obtain the desired additional control features.
  • the control module may be purchased at the same time as the fan, or possibly at a later stage when an upgrade is desired.
  • a known fan employing such a "modular" control system comprises a back plate on which a connector is mounted which is connected to the power supply.
  • the fan motor is also mounted on the back plate, and the motor control wires are also terminated in a connector on the back plate.
  • the circuit is completed and the fan motor can be controlled by the functions provided in the control module.
  • the body is mounted on the back plate, over the fan, fan motor and plugged-in control module.
  • this known system has a disadvantage in that there is the potential for electrically live components or conductors to be exposed when the body is removed from the back plate. This presents a shock hazard if cleaning or maintenance of the components and/or the motor is required, or if a new control module is required. Isolation of the fan by turning off the power supply would prevent this hazard, but this relies on the maintenance person remembering first to switch off the power supply. Furthermore, switching off the power supply may not be desirable in some situations if the operation of other electrical devices would be affected, such as lighting for example.
  • the present invention provides an electric fan, comprising a front housing portion, a fan motor, a back housing portion, a connector mounted on the back housing portion which is connectable to a power supply, and a control module for controlling the fan motor, wherein the control module is received in the front housing portion and, in the assembled fan, is connected to the connector and to the fan motor, the front housing portion being openable or removable from the back housing portion such that the control module and the motor become isolated from the power supply, the isolated control module being removable from the front housing portion.
  • control module By virtue of the control module being received in the front housing portion of the fan and not mounted on the back housing portion, and being removable from the back housing portion when the front housing portion is opened or removed from the back housing portion, automatic electrical isolation of both the fan motor and the control module is achieved as soon as the front housing portion is pulled away from the back housing portion.
  • the isolated control module may then be safely removed from the front housing portion for repair, maintenance or replacement as necessary.
  • the isolated motor may also be serviced or replaced in a safe manner.
  • the front housing portion may be entirely removed from the back housing portion.
  • the front housing portion may be opened from the back housing portion without complete separation of the parts, for example by hinging open.
  • control module is connected to the motor by means of a second connector, i.e. a motor control connector.
  • a second connector i.e. a motor control connector.
  • the control module will then form a connection with both the first connector, i.e. the power supply connector, and with the motor control connector.
  • the motor and therefore the motor control connector if employed, is mounted on the front housing portion.
  • This has the advantage that once the front housing portion is opened or removed from the back housing portion, all the principal electrical components of the fan, with the exception of the power supply connector, are separated from the power supply connector. This allows the fan components to be repaired, replaced or maintained safely.
  • control module may be adapted to carry out one or more of the following motor control functions: direct on/off switching, remote on/off switching, over-run timer (time-delayed switch-off), delayed switch-on, temperature-related control, humidity-related control, passive infrared control, odour-related control, air-quality control.
  • the control module may also vary the speed of the motor, in response either to sensed conditions or to the operator's requirements.
  • the control module may be provided with means for allowing the operating states or settings of the module and/or fan to be altered. This may be in the form of one or more potentiometers or switches, for example, or may take on a more sophisticated form to allow remote alteration of the operating states or settings.
  • a preferred remote control system employs infra-red signals to transmit information to the fan.
  • Another remote control method involves the transmission of control signals through the power supply lines to the fan. If the fan is powered by an alternating current supply, these control signals would have a relatively higher frequency than that of the power supply, to allow their detection over the power supply oscillations. Remote control is be desirable in many industrial applications, such as where the fan is relatively inaccessible, but remote control may also be suited to domestic or small-scale applications as well.
  • control module Any suitable means for carrying out the desired control function may be present in the control module, including mechanical or electrical devices.
  • the control module may, for example, contain a simple electrical switch for controlling the motor, which may be operated by a pull-cord connected thereto.
  • Alternatively, more sophisticated control functions may be realised through the use of electrical circuits built up from electronic components.
  • the control module may consist simply of a printed circuit board (PCB) with components mounted thereon.
  • the control module also comprises an insulating casing around the PCB to protect the components from damage and to reduce the risk of electric shock.
  • a casing is advantageously adapted to receive the power supply connector, and preferably also the motor control connector, for example by having one or two openings for receiving the connector(s).
  • the control module is designed to be retained in the front housing portion when the front housing portion is opened or removed from the back housing portion. This may be achieved simply by sufficient frictional engagement between the module and the front housing portion, which is greater than any frictional engagement between the module and the back housing portion. This could be achieved by providing a tight fit between the module and the fan front housing portion.
  • retaining means may be employed which positively fixes the module in the front housing portion.
  • the retaining means may comprise screws, clips, locating pins, snap retainers, or the like.
  • the control module comprises a PCB mounted inside an insulating casing
  • the PCB may protrude slightly from the casing at the edges thereof, these protruding portions engaging in runners on the inside of the front housing portion when the control module is located inside the front housing portion. The runners can then provide sufficient frictional engagement to retain the control module in the front housing portion when it is removed from the back housing portion.
  • the power supply connector is provided with insulation displacement means for connection to the power supply cable. This allows a simple connection of the connector to the power supply, avoiding the need to strip insulation from around the conductive core.
  • the power supply connector may have a screw terminal for connection to the power supply cable.
  • the motor control connector is preferably equipped with insulation displacement means for connection to the motor control wires. This is advantageous when the connection is made during manufacture of the fan as it can facilitate automation, avoiding the need to tighten screws onto stripped conductors. Moreover, the connection of two or more wires can be made simultaneously, for example by movement of a jig which operates two or more insulation displacement means at the same time.
  • control module engages the power supply connector in a push-fit manner.
  • This allows the fan to be correctly assembled simply by fitting the front housing portion to the back housing portion in the normal manner.
  • Any suitable engagement is envisaged, such as a plug and socket arrangement.
  • the control module includes a PCB
  • a suitable arrangement has been found to be the provision of electrical contacts on the surface of the PCB which contact with resilient contacts mounted in the power supply connector when the PCB is inserted into the connector. This type of connector is described in detail below.
  • the above features may also be present in the motor control connector, if fitted.
  • a motor control connector When such a motor control connector is fitted, and this connector is mounted on the front housing portion, direct interconnection between the power supply connector, the PCB and the motor control connector has been found to be a particularly effective and relatively simple arrangement. Both connections are of the push-fit type, and do not require the use of screws or other tools to effect. The arrangement is mechanically simple, thus saving on production costs, and also provides a safe and reliable connection.
  • the front housing portion may also include one or more shutters which close the intake aperture of the front housing portion, to prevent back-draughts when the fan motor is switched off.
  • These shutters may be of the one-way type, which allows the passage of air in the extraction direction, but not in the reverse direction.
  • the shutters may be operated by an actuator.
  • the actuator may be electrically-controlled, in which case the control is preferably effected by means of the control module.
  • the actuator may be controlled by the same signal as the fan motor.
  • a standard connector which has been used extensively in electric fans as well as in many other electrical applications comprises a conductive hollow cylinder with two axially-spaced screws mounted through one wall thereof, the cylinder and screws being mounted in an insulating casing.
  • the wires which are to be connected to each other are stripped of their insulation, placed in either end of the cylinder and the screws tightened to effect electrical connection.
  • the connectors are usually supplied in strips or blocks comprising a number of such connectors with their insulating casings joined together. For this reason, such connectors are often referred to as "chocolate block" connectors.
  • As many connectors as are required to effect the connection can be cut from the strip, for example to connect live, neutral and possibly earth to the motor.
  • the power supply will normally be a mains supply provided by means of a cable terminating at the fan, and including live, and neutral insulated conductors. An earth conductor may also be provided.
  • the motor will therefore also have at least two insulated conductors connected to it for the live and neutral supplies. One or both of the live and neutral supplies to the motor will be switched.
  • the power supply conductors are connected to the motor conductors by means of the above-described chocolate block connector, via a switch. Because screw terminals are employed in the connector, it is usual for the motor and the switch to be mounted on the back housing portion of the fan rather than on the front housing portion, otherwise separation of the two parts is difficult.
  • Another known electric fan employs a modified version of the above "chocolate block” type.
  • the motor is mounted on the front housing portion of the fan.
  • the power supply wires are screwed into chocolate block-type terminals as before, but the other side of the connector has plate contacts to allow a corresponding contact mounted on the front housing portion to connect the motor to the power supply when the unit is assembled.
  • This therefore has the advantage that the unit can be easily dismantled, and once dismantled, the motor is automatically isolated from the power supply.
  • the applicants' preferred arrangement is to mount the control components on a printed circuit board.
  • One or more electrical connectors are therefore needed to supply the power to the PCB and to take the motor supply from the PCB.
  • the present invention provides an electrical connector for electrically connecting a conductor to a contact on a printed circuit board, the conductor having an inner conductive core and an outer non-conductive sheath, the connector comprising:
  • the first electrically-conductive means preferably a clench
  • the first electrically-conductive means may be moved by the use of a tool, such as pliers or a screwdriver, in a relatively simple operation. No stripping of the insulation around the conductor is required, and no screws are required to secure the cable.
  • the first electrically-conductive means preferably includes means for cutting into the insulation of the conductor.
  • This cutting means may comprise a notch or V-shaped slit which, in use, receives the conductor.
  • the notch or slit will be appropriately dimensioned for the type of conductor to which it is to be connected such that a sufficient electrical connection is made between the conductive core and the first electrically-conductive means, but without cutting the conductor completely.
  • the first electrically-conductive means may also include means for facilitating movement from its in-use position. This may comprise a slot or aperture which enables a tool such as a screwdriver to be used to prise the first electrically-conductive means from the in-use position, and possibly out of the connector.
  • a tool such as a screwdriver
  • the connector is advantageously re-useable. Wiring mistakes can therefore be corrected, or the electrical equipment to which the connector is attached may be re-used.
  • the first electrically-conductive means may be made from any suitable conductive material.
  • the first electrically-conductive means is made from nickel plated brass.
  • the first electrically-conductive means may also be of any suitable shape, but is preferably substantially planar.
  • the second electrically-conductive means is preferably provided with a portion adapted to make electrical contact with the first electrically-conductive means. If the first electrically-conductive means is planar, this portion is preferably planar also. Alternatively, the second electrically-conductive means may be integral with the first electrically-conductive means.
  • the second electrically-conductive means also includes a portion for contact with the printed circuit board.
  • the resilience of the second electrically-conductive means is configured to act such that the electrical connection with the first electrically-conductive means and the circuit board is improved.
  • the resilience acts in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of contact between the components.
  • the second electrically-conductive means may be either substantially C-shaped or substantially S-shaped. If the second electrically-conductive means is substantially S-shaped, it also preferably grips the printed circuit board. This may be achieved by means of the provision of a narrow neck portion past which the PCB is inserted.
  • the second electrically-conductive means is provided with an aperture through which the conductor is inserted in use.
  • the purpose of the aperture is to restrain movement of conductor during movement of the first electrically-conductive means to its in-use position.
  • the second electrically-conductive means may be made from any suitable conductive material.
  • the second electrically-conductive means is made from stainless spring steel.
  • the connector preferably further comprises an insulating housing, inside which the first and second electrically-conductive means are located.
  • the housing is preferably formed from nylon.
  • the housing is preferably provided with a first aperture adapted to receive the conductor in use and a second aperture adapted to receive the PCB in use.
  • the first aperture may be substantially circular and the second aperture substantially elongate.
  • the housing is preferably provided with a lid which in use covers at least the first electrically-conductive means.
  • the lid is formed integrally with the rest of the housing and is therefore made from the same material.
  • the lid is preferably joined to the rest of the housing by means of a hinge, e.g. an integral hinge.
  • the housing may be provided with a shield means adjacent the first aperture whose function is to protect the conductor.
  • the shield means may have any suitable form to carry out the desired function.
  • the shield means comprises a substantially planar member which extends from the housing parallel to the direction of insertion of the conductor.
  • the shield means is preferably formed integrally with the housing.
  • the housing may also be provided with one or more protrusions adjacent the second aperture. These protrusions provide a spacing from the periphery of the connector to the nearest electrically-live component inside, such as the first or second electrically-conductive means. Such a spacing can maintain the distance between the periphery and the component at a safe level such that the risk of electric shock is minimised.
  • this distance should not be less than 8 millimetres.
  • the connector may further include a cable clamp for securing the conductor adjacent the connector. This will maintain the end of the conductor in a fixed position relative to the connector, and therefore prevent any breakages of the conductive core due to flexing.
  • the cable clamp may be formed integrally with the housing, and may be attached to the housing by means of a flexible link.
  • a fan 10 in accordance with the invention is shown with the front housing portion separated slightly from the back housing portion.
  • the back housing portion is shown mounted in a wall 11 which is provided with a cylindrical air duct 12.
  • the fan 10 comprises a front housing portion in the form of a fan body 20, preferably made from a plastics material, which includes an air intake grille 21 and shutter blades 22.
  • the shutter blades 22 are designed to prevent a back-draft through the fan and are controlled by actuator 23, which opens the blades when the motor is operating and closes them when the motor is switched off. This can most simply be achieved by connecting the actuator to the same controlled supply as that for the motor.
  • the fan body also includes a motor hub 24 which is supported by spokes 25. Mounted on the motor hub 24 is an electric motor 26 which rotates fan impeller 27.
  • Connector 28 is preferably made from a plastics material, such as nylon for example, and will be described in more detail below.
  • fan 10 also includes a back housing portion in the form of a back plate 40 which is mounted on the wall 11 and which is also preferably made from a plastics material.
  • the back plate comprises a generally planar front portion 41 and a generally cylindrical rear portion 42, which fits into the circular cross-section of air duct 12.
  • the rear portion is provided with an anti-crush spider 43.
  • the power supply may be an alternating current supply as shown, such as 230 volts a.c. or 12 volts a.c. (SELV). A 12 volts a.c. (SELV) supply is suitable for use in wet environments. Alternatively, the power supply may be a direct current supply, such as 12 volts d.c.
  • Connector 44 is preferably made from a plastics material, such as nylon for example, and will be described in more detail below.
  • the module 60 contains a control circuit comprising a printed circuit board or PCB 61 and various electronic components shown schematically as 62 (Fig.3).
  • the control circuit may be configured to provide any of the control functions previously mentioned, or any other desirable control functions.
  • the module 60 is designed to be retained in the fan body 20 when the body is separated from the back plate 40.
  • PCB 61 protrudes through slots at each end of the module 60. These protruding portions 63 of the PCB engage in racks 64 which are moulded on the interior surface of the body 20.
  • any suitable means of locating and retaining the module 60 in the body 20 may be employed, such as screws, clips, locating pins, snap retainers, or the like.
  • the locating and/or retaining means may act on the PCB as in the embodiment, or may act on the module casing.
  • the requirement for the mounting of the module 60 in the body 20 is that the control module is retained within the body when the body is removed from the back plate. This may be achieved simply by sufficient frictional engagement between the module and the body, which is greater than the frictional engagement between the module and the back plate, or alternatively by positively fixing the module in the body.
  • motor control connector 28 is a two-pole connector whereas power supply connector 44 is a three-pole connector.
  • power supply connector 44 is a three-pole connector.
  • the relevant features are common to both connectors, and therefore only the three-pole connector will be described.
  • Connector 44 comprises a generally rectangular body 80.
  • Fig. 5A shows the connector in isometric view
  • Figs. 5B to 5E show in third angle projection the connector 44 as viewed in elevation from the four sides of the body.
  • Fig. 5F shows the top view and Fig. 5G shows the underneath view.
  • the connector body 80 has three apertures 81 (two only are shown in Fig. 5F) for receiving the three power supply wires L, N and SL, and an elongate aperture 82 for receiving the PCB of the control module.
  • the body is provided with three internal slots 83 (Fig. 5B), each for receiving a clench and a spring contact as will be described later.
  • a lid 85 Connected to body 80 via a plurality of live hinges 84 is a lid 85 which, once the connectors are connected to the cables, is designed to fold down and cover the clenches and spring contacts, leaving the elongate aperture 82 open to receive the PCB.
  • Lid 85 is provided with two projections 86 which frictionally engage in corresponding resilient recesses 87 on the body, holding the lid closed.
  • the closed connector is shown in cross-section in Fig. 7.
  • Connector 44 is provided with an elongate shield 88 which extends from the body 80, adjacent the apertures 81.
  • the shield 88 is designed to protect the individual conductors of the power supply cable, which are inserted into connector 44 by the installer, from any contact by fingers, tools, etc. to provide a safe connection and prevent electric shock.
  • the effect of shield 88 can be seen clearly in Fig. 4.
  • connector 44 has protrusions 89 at the edges of elongate aperture 82 which are designed to prevent fingers from being less than 8 millimetres from any live components.
  • Connector 44 also includes a cable clamp 90 which is attached to the body of the connector via a strip 91 of connector material. This is advantageous, as it prevents the cable clamp from becoming lost.
  • the cable clamp 90 is bent into position and screwed through holes 92 onto a corresponding boss (not shown) on the back plate, over the power supply cable, thus holding the cable in position.
  • motor control connector 28 is similar to power supply connector 44 in many respects. Some of the above-described features are, however, not necessary for connector 28. For example, because the connector becomes disconnected from the supply the moment the fan body is separated from the back plate, there is no need to provide protrusions 89 around the elongate aperture. Furthermore, for the same reason, it is not necessary to have a shield such as 88. The cable clamp 90 may also be omitted if desired.
  • FIG. 6A shows a side view of connector 44, with a clench 100 and a spring contact 110 removed therefrom.
  • Clench 100 is shown in plan view in Fig. 6B, and is made from any electrically-conductive material. Nickel-plated brass is a suitable material.
  • Clench 100 is generally rectangular, and is provided with a slit 101 and a generally V-shaped portion 102 at the outer end of the slit, whose purpose is to cut into the insulation around the conductor and to make electrical contact with the inner conductive core.
  • Clench 100 is also provided with an aperture 103 which is designed to receive the blade of a small screwdriver, to allow the clench to be raised from its in-use position, out of the connector body. This feature allows the connector to be re-useable.
  • Spring contact 110 is made from any suitable electrically-conductive material which is also resilient. An example of such a material is stainless spring steel.
  • Contact 110 is generally S-shaped, and has a portion 111 (Fig. 6A) which in use receives the PCB of the control module and makes electrical contact with a track or pad thereon. Portion 111 is shaped with a narrow neck portion 112 so as to provide some resilience to the connection with the PCB, and to ensure that a good electrical connection is made.
  • Contact 110 has a flat portion 113 which is designed to mate against clench 100 in use and to provide electrical connection between the two components.
  • This flat portion 113 is provided with an aperture 114 which is designed to receive the conductor of the power supply cable therethrough, before the clench 100 is pushed into its in-use position, cutting through the insulation and contacting the inner conductive core.
  • the aperture 114 therefore restrains the conductor from any movement in the same direction as that of the clench whilst connection is being effected, and holds the conductor in position.
  • Figure 6E shows the clench 100 and spring contact 110 inserted in the connector body, ready to receive a conductor from the power supply cable. This is how the power supply connector will be presented to the customer. The customer will install the fan and during the course of the installation will connect the power supply cable to the connector 44 as described below. The connection of the motor control wires to motor control connector 28 will normally be carried out in the factory, but the connection operation will be the same in both cases.
  • spring contact 110 is fully inserted into the slot 83, but clench 100 partly protrudes from the slot. This positioning of the clench and spring contact allows insertion of the conductor of the power supply cable along the line of the arrow shown, into the connector body, past the tip of the clench 100, and through the aperture 114 in the spring contact 110 until the end of the conductor abuts an internal surface of the connector body.
  • a suitable tool such as pliers or a screwdriver, is then employed to push clench 100 fully into its the slot 83. This action causes the V-shaped portion 102 and slit 101 of the clench to cut into the insulation around the conductor and to make electrical contact with the inner conductive core. Lid 85 is then closed shut over the clench 100, the tip of the conductor and flat portion 113 of spring contact 110, leaving neck portion 112 positioned in the elongate aperture 82, ready to receive the PCB.
  • pliers or a screwdriver is then employed to push clench 100 fully into its the slot 83. This action causes the V-shaped portion 102 and slit 101 of the clench to cut into the insulation around the conductor and to make electrical contact with the inner conductive core. Lid 85 is then closed shut over the clench 100, the tip of the conductor and flat portion 113 of spring contact 110, leaving neck portion 112 positioned in the elongate aperture 82, ready to receive the PCB.
  • Fig. 7 shows in cross-section fan body 20, back plate 40, power supply connector 44, power supply conductor 120 comprising insulating sheath 121 and conductive core 122, motor control connector 28, motor control conductor 123 comprising insulating sheath 124 and conductive core 125, clenches 100, spring contacts 110, and PCB 61.
  • Fig. 8 shows a schematic view of power supply connector 44, power supply conductors 120, motor control connector 28, motor control conductors 123 and PCB 61.
  • PCB tracks 126 can be seen on the PCB 61, and are positioned to make electrical contact with the neck portions of the spring contacts of both connectors.
  • Fig. 9 shows an alternative form of the power supply connector 44, in a cross-sectional view similar to those seen in Figs. 1 and 7.
  • the principal difference between this second connector embodiment and the first embodiment is that a displacement type connection to the conductors of the power supply cable 45 is not used, but rather a screw and terminal block arrangement is used.
  • the power supply connector 45 therefore has a metal terminal block 201 formed with a conductor hole 202 for receiving a conductor 120, and formed with a threaded screw hole 203 for receiving a screw 200.
  • the installer of the fan will strip the insulation from the ends of the conductor of the power supply cable 45, will insert the conductors through the conductor hole 202 in the terminal block 201, and will tighten the screw 200 so that it enters the conductor hole to force the conductor into good electrical contact with the terminal block.
  • the terminal block is in electrical contact with the flat portion 113 of the spring contact 110, thereby providing a conductive path between the end of the conductor of the power supply cable 45 and the spring contact 110. This procedure is repeated for each conductor.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cleaning And Drying Hair (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
  • Dry Shavers And Clippers (AREA)
  • Motor Or Generator Frames (AREA)
EP99309975A 1998-12-10 1999-12-10 Elektrisches Gebläse und elektrischer Verbinder Expired - Lifetime EP1008762B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9827253 1998-12-10
GB9827253A GB2344379B (en) 1998-12-10 1998-12-10 Electric fan and electrical connector

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1008762A2 true EP1008762A2 (de) 2000-06-14
EP1008762A3 EP1008762A3 (de) 2001-05-16
EP1008762B1 EP1008762B1 (de) 2004-09-15

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99309975A Expired - Lifetime EP1008762B1 (de) 1998-12-10 1999-12-10 Elektrisches Gebläse und elektrischer Verbinder

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1008762B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE276441T1 (de)
DE (2) DE1008762T1 (de)
GB (1) GB2344379B (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2206981A3 (de) * 2009-01-08 2011-12-07 Riegelhof & Gärtner oHG Lüfter

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2379249B (en) * 2001-08-29 2006-03-08 Sunonwealth Electr Mach Ind Co Supercharging structure for a fan
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CN102878118A (zh) * 2011-07-11 2013-01-16 上海立新液压有限公司 双路控制二通插装阀
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Also Published As

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GB9827253D0 (en) 1999-02-03
DE1008762T1 (de) 2001-04-19
ATE276441T1 (de) 2004-10-15
DE69920146D1 (de) 2004-10-21
EP1008762A3 (de) 2001-05-16
GB2344379A (en) 2000-06-07
GB2344379B (en) 2002-12-11
EP1008762B1 (de) 2004-09-15

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